Foldable table stabilizer



March 12, 1963 N. v. RlSbALL FOLDABLE TABLE STABILIZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Feb. 13, 1961 Rs 4 mm MM 5 a H W I M F W w 1 p) G M2. M a, I Y 9 fm m w E fi fiz.. FE: a J W m u WXMZW lrrazmsvs March 12, 1963 N, v,RISDALL FOLDABLE TABLE STABILIZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 13, 1961News K R1300 a N N Jrramvezs when the table is in use.

3,080,833 FOLDABLE TABLE STABILIZER Newell V. Risdall, St. Paul, Minn,assignor, by mesne assignments, to Peabody Seating Company, Inc., NorthManchester, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Feb. 13, 1961, Ser. No.88,716

2 Claims. (Cl. 108-112) The present invention relates to foldable tablesand more particularly to foldable tables with wheel means to allowconvenient transportion of the table from one place to another and meansfor stabilizing the table by rendering the wheels inoperative when thetable is unfolded and placed in position for use.

The present invention is particularly well adapted for use in connectionwith large tables of the type used for banquets or in schools. Becauseof the large size and bulk of these tables, they have been inconvenientto collapse and transport for storage during the time they are not inuse.

A variety of foldable tables have been previously de- States atentscribed. Some of these tables have been provided with wheels allowingthe table to be conveniently moved about when it is folded to acollapsed position. Previously, however, most of these tables have beensubject to instability or undesired movement after the table has beenunfolded and placed in the operative position.

One previous device pro-posed for rendering wheels inoperative is ameans for individually elevating each Wheel from the floor so thatanother part of the table is folded to the collapsible condition andalso having means for automatically placing the wheels in inoperativeposition as the table is unfolded for use.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improvedcollapsible self-stabilizing table of the type described which iseconomical to manufacture, reliable in operation and durable underconditions of actual use.

It is a more specific object of this invention to provide an improvedcollapsible table which is stable when unfolded for use, which can becollapsed for storage without lifting the table from the floor and whichcan then be easily moved about upon wheels which automatically becomeoperative as the table is collapsed.

With these objects in mind the invention broadly comprises a collapsibletable preferably divided into two similar folding top portions, aplurality of table legs pivotally connected to the folding table top tosupport the table .from the floor and means connected to the lower endof the legs to enable the table to be readily moved about on To enablethe table to be easily moved wheels of known construction are preferred.The wheels support the entire weight of the table when the table is inthe collapsed condition but means are provided for automatically placingthe wheels in an inoperative position Specifically, I provide a tablestabilizer means movably connected to at least one of said legs andmeans such as a stabilizer control lever connected between the table topand the stabilizer for raising the stabilizer as the table is placed inthe collapsed position and for lowering the stabilizer to the operativeposition to render the wheels inoperative as the table is 28 28 30 and30 These and other more detailed and specific objects will be disclosedin the course of the following specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side elevation of apreferred form of foldable table according to the present invention inthe folded condition with the wheels in operative position.

'FIG. 2 is a side elevation similar to FIG. 1 but with the tableunfolded for use.

FIG. 3 is an-end elevational view of the table of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation showing the details of constructionof the stabilizer mechanism.

' FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings and using referencenumerals to denote like parts and structural features, there is shown acollapsible table according to the present invention includingstabilizer means operatively associated with the legs to automaticallylift the wheels to an inoperative position when the table is unfoldedand is ready for use. The table comprises-a table top 10 divided intotwo flat rectangular top portions 12 and 14. Portions 12 and 14 may beformed from wood. Each of the portions 12 and 14 is provided withreinforcing members 24 and 26 such as angle irons. Members 24 and 26 arepivotally connected at the center to a centerpiece 18 by pivots 20 and22. These reinforcing members 24 and 26 are rigidlyattached to each ofthe table top portions 12 and 14 by any convenient fastening device (notshown). Pivotally connected to the table top near the outer end of eachofportions 12 and 14 are .table legs designated at 28 and'30respectively.

Table legs 28 and 30 include hinge members 34 and 36 which may be formedfrom metal tubing. Members 34 and 36 are accordingly pivotally connectedat each end to one of reinforcing members 24 and 26. Rigidly attached toeach of binge members 34 and 36 are the leg members 28 and 30. Each legcomprises a pair of spaced apart vertically disposed metal tubes,designated Rigidly attached to the lower end of the leg members 28 and30 are horizontally disposed wheel supporting members 40 and 42respectively. Mem- 1 bers 40 and 42 may also be formed from metaltubing. At each end of each of wheel supporting members 40 and 42 isprovided a wheel 44, there being a pair of wheels attached to each ofthe wheel supporting members 40 and 42.

When the table is collapsed to the position shown in 'FIG. 1, the wheelsare operative enabling the table to be moved about with ease andconvenience. However, when the table is unfolded to the position inwhich it is to be used, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the wheels arerendered inoperative by means of the improved stabilizing mechanismaccording to this invention which will be described below.

Located approximately intermediate the ends of leg members 28 and 28 aswell as leg members 30 and 30 are provided horizontally positionedconnecting members 46 and 47. Pivotally connected at one end to member46 is a leg brace 48, while pivotally connected to connecting member 47at one end is a leg brace 49. The "other end of the brace 48 ispivotally connected to the table top member on the opposite side of thecenter pivots 20 and 22 from the leg 28. Thus brace 48 is pivotallyconnected to one end to the leg member 28 and at the other end to topportion 14. Brace 49 is mounted similarly, it being pivotally connectedat one end to table leg 30 and at the opposite end to table top portion12. It will be understood by making reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 that asthe table is elevated from the unfolded position, shown in FIG. 2, tothe collapsed position shown in FIG. 1, the resultant relative movementbetween table top portions 12 and 14 will cause the legs 28 and 3t: toremain in a vertical position as the table is folded due to the actionof braces 48 and 49. The braces 48 and 49 may therefore be thought of asa means for maintaining the legs in a vertical position as the table isfolded.

Slidably associated with each of the table legs 28 and 30 arestabilizing elements 50 and 51. The stabilizing elements 50 and 51comprise a pair of elongate members t)" and 50 slidably mounted insidethe leg members 28 and 28* respectively and a pair of members 51* and 51slidably mounted inside leg members and 39* respectively. Rigidlyattached between the lower end of each pair of stabilizer members is afloor engaging 'member 54. The length of the stabilizing members 50 and51 is adjusted so that the upper ends thereof, designated at 56, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4, is spaced apart from the pivots 34 and 36 whenthe stabilizing floor engaging portion 54 is in contact with the 11001thereby allowing a space for the stabilizing members 50 to slideupwardly with respect to the legs 28 and 30. Pivotally connected nearthe upper end of each stabilizing member is a stabilizer control lever58. Each of the stabilizing control levers 58 is pivotally connected atthe other end thereof to one of rein-forcing members 24. The levers arein effect pivotally connected to the table top by virtue of theirconnection with reinforcing members 24 and 26. The point of connectionbetween the control levers and the table top is located centrally of thepivot connections 34 and 36 between the table legs and the table top.

According to a preferred form of the invention, each stabilizer controllever comprises a stiff metal rod having a center portion 58 andportions 58 and 58' at each end thereof which are bent at a right anglewith respect to the center portion 58 The portions 58 and 58 can therebybe conveniently pivotally connected to the table top and stabilizermember respectively. The center portion of each of levers 58 is providedwith a slight bend 61 best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4 to accommodate themembers 34 and 36 when the table is collapsed. I

To allow access of the estabilizer control lever '58 to the stabilizermembers 50, each leg is provided at the upper end thereof with anelongate opening 60. The portion 58 of the control lever 58 thusprojects through the elongate opening'60 in the stabilizer member 50.

At the center of the table is provided a central leg 70 which is rigidlyconnected to the upper end thereof to a centerpiece 18. The bottom ofleg 70 is provided with a floor engaging portion 72. At approximatelythe center of leg 79 is provided a sliding collar 74. Between thesliding collar 74 and the centerpiece 18 is provided a helicalcompression spring 76 which tends to drive apart the collar 74 and thecenterpiece 18. Pivotally connected at each end between collar 74 andtable top members 12 and 14- are two links 78 and 80. The links 78 and80 are accordingly pivotally attached at the upper end thereof to tabletopmenrber's 12 and 14 by pivots 82 and 84 respectively. The links 78and 80 are pivotally connected at their lower ends to collar 74 by meansof pivots 86 and 88. Thus, the spring 76 exerts downward force on thecollar 74 and therefore also exerts downward force on the links 78 and80.

The provision of spring 76 and collar 74 and links 76' and 78 tend toassist folding the table to its collapsed position. The spring tensionof spring 76 is not sufiicient to cause the table to assume the foldedposition without additional manual force but is sufficient to aid oncollapsing the table.

In operation, the table is placed in the unfolded .position during use.While the table is in this position, the

stabilizers are extended to a floor engaging position, as shown in FIGS.2, 3 and 4. The stabilizer member 54 thus supports at least a part ofthe weight of the table. If desired the stabilizer may support theentire weight of the table in which case the wheels 44 will be elevatedfrom the floor. In most applications, however, it is desirable toprovide that the stabilizer members support only a part of the weight ofthe table, the remaining weight being supported by the wheels. If thisprovision is made, the wheels will not actually be elevated from thefloor.

It will be thus apparent that the stabilizing members render the wheels44 inoperative when the table is in the unfolded position for use andthereby prevent undesired movement of the table across the floor whenthe table is being used.

To fold the table from the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and 4 to thecollapsed position shown in FIG. 1, the centerpiece 18 is raised fromthe floor. The change in the angle between the top pieces 12 and 14 willcause the braces 48 and 49 to exert lateral forces on the legs 28 and 30thereby maintaining the legs 28 and 30 in a vertical position as thetable is folded in the manner described above. The leg members 28 and 30will thus turn with respect to the table top portions 12 and 14 in acounterclockwise and clockwise direction respectively. As leg 28 pivotsclockwise about pivot 34 relative to table top member 12, the stabilizercontrol levers 58 associated with leg 28 will cause the stabilizer 50 toslide upwardly in leg 28. The stabilizer control lever associated withleg 30 operates in a similar manner. The stabilizers 50 and 51 are inthis way automatically moved to the inoperative position as the table isfolded to the collapsed position for storage.

From the above description it can be seen that the invention provides acollapsible table wherein stabilization of wheels is automatic inoperation, the wheels being placed in an inoperative position as thetable is placed in the position for use. Under conditions of use theinvention has shown good reliability and durability.

The tables according to the present invention are surprisingly stable inthe unfolded position and can be readily collapsed and thereby renderedeasily transportable as the wheels move to the operating position. Theinvention is particularly useful in connection with large and bulkytables, such as banquet tables. The invention can be economicallymanufactured and requires relatively few additional parts.

It is undertsood that suitable modifications may be made in thestructure as disclosed, provided such modifications come within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Having now therefore fullyillustrated and described my invention, what I claim to be new anddesire to protect by Letters Patent is:

l. A collapsible table comprising in combination, a table top, saidtable top being divided into two similar portions, a pivotal connectionbetween said two portions, first and second table legs, each of saidlegs being pivotally connected at the upper end thereof to one of saidportions to support the table from the floor, wheel means connected tothe base of each such leg, at first brace pivotally connected at one endto said first leg and at the other end to the table portion connected tosaid second leg, a second brace pivotally connected at one end to saidsecond leg and at the other end to the table portion to which said firstleg is attached, a first and second stabilizer member mounted slidablywith respect to said first and second legs respectively to support atleast a part of the weight of said table when said table is unfolded foruse, a stabilizer extender lever pivotally connected at one end to theupper end of each stabilizer and pivotally connected at the other endthereof to said table top at a position between the center of said tableand the end thereof connected to said stabilizer to extend saidstabilizer downwardly to a position rendering said wheels inoperativewhen said table is unfolded, a central leg means connected to saidpivotal connection between said two portions and extending downwardlytherefrom, said central leg means being adapted to support the center ofsaid table when said table is unfolded for use.

2. A collapsible table comprising in combination, a table top, saidtable top being divided into two similar relatively foldable portions, apivotal connection between said two portions, first and second tablelegs, each of said legs being pivotally connected at the upper endthereof to one of said portions to provide support for the table from afloor, the pivotal connection of each of said legs comprising a hingemember providing for movement of each leg about an axis parallel to saidpivotal connection between said two table top portions, a pair of spacedapart hollow tubular members forming a part of each of said legs andmovable therewith, spaced wheels mounted at the lower end of each ofsaid legs for engagement with the floor, a pair of stabilizers slidablyassociated with said tubular members, each of said stabilizers being inthe form of an elongate member telescopically mounted in a tubularmember, andmeans connected with each stabilizer and a table top portionfor extending said stabilizer from a retracted inoperative position to aposition projecting beyond the portions of said wheels engaging thefloor in response to relative pivotal movement between said table topand said legs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,596,986 Curtis May 20, 1952 2,720,402 De Puy et a1. Oct. 11, 19552,747,958 Wilson May 29, 1956 2,764,460 Nelson Sept. 25, 1956 2,792,270Anderson May 14, 1957 2,831,741 Wilson Apr. 22, 1958 2,873,157 WilsonFeb. 10, 1959 2,978,754 Wilson Apr. 11, 1961

1. A COLLAPSIBLE TABLE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A TABLE TOP, SAIDTABLE TOP BEING DIVIDED INTO TWO SIMILAR PORTIONS, A PIVOTAL CONNECTIONBETWEEN SAID TWO PORTIONS, FIRST AND SECOND TABLE LEGS, EACH OF SAIDLEGS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT THE UPPER END THEREOF TO ONE OF SAIDPORTIONS TO SUPPORT THE TABLE FROM THE FLOOR, WHEEL MEANS CONNECTED TOTHE BASE OF EACH SUCH LEG, A FIRST BRACE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE ENDTO SAID FIRST LEG AND AT THE OTHER END TO THE TABLE PORTION CONNECTED TOSAID SECOND LEG, A SECOND BRACE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAIDSECOND LEG AND AT THE OTHER END TO THE TABLE PORTION TO WHICH SAID FIRSTLEG IS ATTACHED, A FIRST AND SECOND STABILIZER MEMBER MOUNTED SLIDABLYWITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND LEGS RESPECTIVELY TO SUPPORT ATLEAST A PART OF THE WEIGHT OF SAID TABLE WHEN SAID TABLE IS UNFOLDED FORUSE, A STABILIZER EXTENDER LEVER PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THEUPPER END OF EACH STABILIZER AND PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT THE OTHER ENDTHEREOF TO SAID TABLE TOP AT A POSITION BETWEEN THE CENTER OF SAID TABLEAND THE END THEREOF CONNECTED TO SAID STABILIZER TO EXTEND SAIDSTABILIZER DOWNWARDLY TO A POSITION RENDERING SAID WHEELS INOPERATIVEWHEN SAID TABLE IS UNFOLDED, A CENTRAL LEG MEANS CONNECTED TO SAIDPIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID TWO PORTIONS AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLYTHEREFROM, SAID CENTRAL LEG MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT THE CENTER OFSAID TABLE WHEN SAID TABLE IS UNFOLDED FOR USE.